Satellite view of Hurricane Erin 7 a.m. Aug. 21, 2025.

Hurricane Erin has begun to move away from the North Carolina coast, although beachgoers are still cautioned against swimming at most beaches along the U.S. East Coast due to rough conditions caused by the storm.

According to a 5 a.m. ET advisory from the National Hurricane Center on Aug. 21, Erin is located about 205 miles east-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with maximum sustained winds near 105 mph with higher gusts, making it a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

The hurricane center said Erin is moving toward the north-northeast near 17 mph, with a turn toward the northeast with an increase in forward speed expected later Thursday, Aug. 21, followed by an acceleration toward the east-northeast on Aug. 22 and into the weekend. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next few days, with Erin expected to become post-tropical by Saturday, Aug. 23.

The center of Erin is forecast to move over the western Atlantic between the U.S. East Coast and Bermuda through early Friday and then pass south of Atlantic Canada on Friday and Saturday, according to the NHC.

A storm surge watch is in effect from Cape Lookout to Duck, North Carolina, which means there is a possibility of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, in the indicated locations during the next 48 hours. The NWS said storm surge in this area could reach 2 to 4 feet. Additionally, a tropical storm warning is in effect for Beaufort Inlet, North Carolina to Chincoteague, Virginia, including Pamlico and Albermarle Sounds.

The hurricane center said tropical storm conditions are occurring over portions of the Outer Banks and will spread northward along the Virginia coastline during the next few hours. Tropical storm-force wind gusts are likely along the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coast through early Friday.

Swells generated by Erin will continue to affect the Bahamas, Bermuda, the U.S. East Coast and Atlantic Canda during the next several days, causing life-threatening surf and rip currents.

Hurricane Erin path tracker

This forecast track shows the most likely path of the center of the storm. It does not illustrate the full width of the storm or its impacts, and the center of the storm is likely to travel outside the cone up to 33% of the time.

Hurricane Erin spaghetti models

Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The hurricane center uses only the top four or five highest-performing models to help make its forecasts.

Two other systems brewing in the Atlantic, NHC says

In addition to Erin, the hurricane center said it is tracking two other systems in the Atlantic.

In an early morning advisory on Aug. 21, hurricane center forecasters said shower and thunderstorm activity has become "a bit more concentrated" in associated with a tropical wave located a few hundred miles east of the Leeward Isalnds.

Environmental conditions appear conducive for further development of this system, the NHC said, and a tropical depression is likely to form this weekend as the system moves near or to the north of the northern Leeward Islands.

A second tropical wave, located several hundred miles west-southwest of the Cabo Verde Islands, is producing showers and thunderstorms that are starting to show some signs of organization.

"However, recent satellite-derived wind data depict that the system does not have a well-defined center," forecasters said in the advisory. Environmental conditions appear marginally favorable for additional development over the next day or so, and a short-lived tropical depression could form.

However, by the end of the week environmental conditions are expected to become unfavorable for further development. Forecasters give this system a 40% chance of development through the next seven days.

How do hurricanes form?

Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.

A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reach 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane.

Prepare now for hurricanes

Delaying potentially lifesaving preparations could mean waiting until it’s too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends.

  • Develop an evacuation plan. If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there.
  • Assemble disaster supplies. Whether you’re evacuating or sheltering in place, you’re going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for a possibly lengthy aftermath, NOAA said.
  • Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions. Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance checkup to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so you’ll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, because flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period.
  • Create a family communication plan. NOAA says you should take the time now to write down a hurricane plan and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation.
  • Strengthen your home. Now is the time to improve your home’s ability to withstand hurricanes. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and impact glass; seal outside wall openings.

Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Where is Hurricane Erin headed? See projected path of storm

Reporting by Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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